Notre Dame High School striker Mateo Espinosa committed to the Simon Fraser University varsity soccer team.
"I am a fast versatile player who can play in various positions," said Espinosa. "I like to go forward, attack, and contribute to the play. I think I can contribute to the team by adding quickness in the wing and creating scoring opportunities.
"The team obviously had an outstanding record last year in their undefeated season and I have heard very good comments about Simon Fraser as a university from various people. I'm excited to get started."
Espinosa spent time with Calgary FC and also tried out for Manchester City in 2011.
"Mateo is a pacy and skilled striker who has the ability to score big-time goals," said SFU head coach Alan Koch. "He has had professional opportunities in Columbia, but would rather focus on his education and football at SFU. I look forward to working with him on a daily basis, and seeing how far he can take his game."
The men's Clan also added Ali Al-Chaer to their varsity roster.
Al-Chaer comes to the Clan from his club team, the Calgary Villains.
"Ali is a tough, uncompromising defender," said Koch. "I look forward to seeing how quickly he learns from our older defenders and how he adjusts to playing in the NCAA. His tenacity and drive will help him compete for playing time immediately."
Al-Chaer was named the defensive player of the year for four consecutive years in the Calgary minor soccer system, and was the top scoring defenceman the last two seasons.
The Lester B. Pearson High School graduate was also a Calgary minor soccer all-star for four straight seasons.
Men's basketball
Washington, D.C. product Elijah Matthews will join the SFU men's basketball program in the fall, transferring from Pfeiffer University of Misenheimer, North Carolina.
"I'm excited to come to the west coast and play for SFU," said Matthews. "Being from the east, I'm eager to experience a new country and join a great program. Exploring the world is something I've always wanted to do and British Columbia is a great place to start."
Last season at Pfeiffer, Matthews averaged 10 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
"I want to help SFU win a championship. Coming from Washington, D.C., I've built friendships with a lot of people of different cultures. I think that will help me adapt to my new surroundings quickly and get down to the business of winning," added Matthews.
Matthews played in 25 of 26 games for Pfeiffer as as sophomore last season, averaging 24.6 minutes per game.
"Elijah is a dynamic player that can play the wing spots," said head coach James Blake. "We lost some scoring with the graduation of Connor Lewis, Zack Frehlick and Justin Brown, who averaged 30 plus points combined last season. Elijah will help replace that."
The Clan rounded out its upcoming roster with the signing of Gibran Sewani from California.
"Sewani has been coached by the legendary Bob Gottlieb, when he played summer ball with the Branch West Academy," said Blake. "He is a skilled forward who can step out and shoot the ball. Sewani will need to add some strength to his game and is dedicating himself to that with the Clan strength program."
As a senior at South Torrance High School, Sewani averaged a double-double, scoring 14 points per game and averaging 10 rebounds.
Last year, Gibran was named a first team all-league and first team all-California Interscholastic Federation and second team all-area all-star.
"I feel the combination of athletics and academics at SFU is perfect for me. It's a great academic school with an up-and-coming basketball program.
"Next season I want to find out where I fit into the program, help the team win and help the team improve as a unit. I think I'll bring some size and rebounding to the table but really I just want to help the team in any way possible," said Sewani.
